Fender Jazz or Precision bass: Which do you prefer and why?

[bhendrix]

P....J....PJ - all three are different animals. And all bassists need at LEAST one of each!

 

[Smooth_bass88]

.

 

[Thundertips]

P....J....PJ - all three are different animals. And all bassists need at LEAST one of each!

Doesn't a P/J sound close to a P when the P pickup is on by itself?

 

[Pdaddy1978]

As my name on here implies, I'm a dyed in the wool Pbass guy..
And maybe, a bit of a Pbass apologist.
Back in the day, I tried Jazz basses. But at the time.....
1. Didn't like the ergonomics of the J shape, slid off my leg when sitting.
2. My huge meat-hook fingers didn't like the string spacing on that thin neck
3. Lacked the "growl" I preferred with the music I was playing.
Granted, it's been many moons since I've tried one, and maybe I'd like it better if I tried it today but...... I doubt it.

 

[bterry]

I like both P and J sounds when I hear others play them, but in my hands a P sounds/feels better.

Also, and this is just IMO, the Jazz Bass is a bit ugly. I’m a huge offset guitar fan, too, but I don’t care for the J bass aesthetic.

 

[bhendrix]

Doesn't a P/J sound close to a P when the P pickup is on by itself?

Close is the key word here and yes, it does. But, solo the J pup and no where near a true J tone. YMMV.

 

[squarepeg]

the tone of a J is beautiful, but dont tell my P that...i love her too...prolly why i built a p/j..this is like choosing between a wife and the hot mistress...

I think it's more like choosing between a plain pizza and a pizza with pineapple.

 

[Rib 13]

If just those two, J basses for me for everything but looks...P Basses look cooler

Im also one if those weirdos that thinks J Basses look better with block inlays and P Basses look better with dot inlays, and I really don't like either with the opposite

 

[john_g]

Between a J and P, I prefer a Jazz. I fully admit that the times Ive had a P and played it with my bands, it probably sounded great out front and sat in the mix well. But I like a little cut and a P is just not "my sound". However, lately my opinion is changing slightly....one of the basses on my GAS list would be a P on steroids. Something like a Yamaha Attitude (Billy Sheehan model) or something along those lines with a real aggressive sound would suit me though.

 

[Thundertips]

If just those two, J basses for me for everything but looks...P Basses look cooler

Im also one if those weirdos that thinks J Basses look better with block inlays and P Basses look better with dot inlays, and I really don't like either with the opposite

I would have to agree about the inlays but I could only afford an American Performer Jazz and they only come with dots. Maybe I shoulda saved up 500 more bucks and bought the Geddy Lee USA Jazz.

 

[HMZ]

I would have to say a P bass. I find for me in a band setting the P bass fill the space more. I think a P with a band sounds amazing. Easy to dial in a great sound and it works every time.

Now if I’m just playing at home by myself I like the sound of a jazz bass. I will also say this. I’m soon to be 54 and I find the wider neck of the P a little harder on my hands now a days. With my band I have been using my EBMM Sterling. It has more of a jazz bass neck but also very good at sound full in a band setting.

 

[onamission]

A P with a P neck. I have Jazz basses but I gravitate to the P most of the time. I like the wider P neck. I have a jazz with a P neck and love it.

 

[DigitalMan]

I prefer the Jazz more from a Rush perspective. Very aggressive, works well with OD, etc. I have a lot of respect for the Precision and use it sometimes for quiet practice and working out new parts. To me, a P with flats is similar to an acoustic guitar or upright piano when it comes to composing, or any other time/place where the unplugged vibe is called for.

 

[klejst]

Love both as well as my PJ.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Figured I would start a topic I know has been covered many times. But during this quarantine its a great time killer.

Which do you prefer, the Fender Jazz or Precision bass?

I know a lot of people have other basses they prefer over these 2 types, but I just want to see what people think of these 2 types of basses in this post.

I really like my American Fender PJ. If that were not an option, you can bet your bippie I’d be rocking a Precision.

 

[Jim C]

A little surprised at the poll numbers with the P leading right now.
I have no problem with this but it sure seems like the J is the most in demand considering that companies like Sadowsky, Lull, and others make J basses in about a 10:1 ratio.
Looking at whats for sale on Reverb from the custom and semi-custom shops. It sure makes it look like the J is much more popular and in demand.
And yes, I have both types.

 

[Killing Floor]

Of my Fenders the one I like the most is actually a J body with a P neck. Is that cheating?
I like my Precisions and Jazz both, I like the older P necks better, I like the J pickups. Maybe someone should invent a PJ. Best practical advice is to have (n+1) basses.

 

[mikeswals]

Jazz

 

[lizardking837]

I like them both. I love how straight-forward a P bass is and how aggressive a J can sound.

 

[707GK]

I couldn’t decide so I own one of each. And an EBMM for good measure.